Veteran Family Benefits: The Key Things You Need to Know

If you or your family members have served in the military you may be entitled to veteran benefits. This allows former personnel to access advantages such as health care, education, and other support.

Many wonder whether family members get veteran benefits? The answer is yes as this article will show you. Find out now how the process of getting these military service perks functions and what formalities you will encounter while applying for them.

What Are the Main Veteran Benefits?

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and other federal government offices offer many types of assistance to former service personnel. Amongst these are 5 key benefits, which include:

• Disability compensation
• Pension programs
• Housing assistance
• Education programs
• Reduced or free medical care from VA medical services

These advantages are accessible for direct family members of personnel too. This allows those closest to military veterans to enjoy similar health and educational support.

What Benefits do Veterans’ Families Get?

In addition to the many benefits that veterans receive, their family members may also enjoy access to a number of special support programs. These are as follows:

• Life insurance
• Healthcare benefits
• Money towards education or training
• Home loans
• Pensions

In addition, survivors of veterans can also receive assistance with burial costs and special compensation if their loved one was killed whilst serving their country.

Who Is Eligible For Veteran Benefits

If you are a military veteran who has served the minimum service term and has received an honorable discharge you and your eligible family members will be able to access veteran benefits.

This applies to anyone serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces including:

• The Army
• The Navy
• The Marine Corps
• The Air Force
• The Coast Guard

These will also be made available to surviving family if the individual in question was killed or disabled during their service. You will also be able to claim these benefits if you are the:

• Spouse of a veteran
• Child of a veteran
• Dependent of a veteran (such as adopted children, or people under the individual’s legal guardianship)
• Caregiver of a veteran

How to Apply for Veteran Benefits

There are many different ways to get veteran benefits you are entitled to. It is possible to apply online using the joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) managed eBenefits portal. Using the eBenefits portal veterans are able to:

• Register for benefits
• View their disability claim status
• Access essential records such as DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
• Transfer entitlements from the Post 911 GI Bill to eligible family members
• Adjust personal data used to access VA programs

How Can Family Members Apply For VA Benefits?

Family members of veterans need to follow the correct procedures in order to apply for the VA benefits that they require and are eligible for. This can either be done online using the eBenefits portal or by mailing an application to the VA directly.

Applications can be handed in personally to a local VA office or sent to the following address:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444

In addition to the relevant application form and evidence for your claim, you will also need the following vital records and documentation:

• The veteran’s birth certificate
• Your marriage certificate
• Your childrens’ or babies’ birth certificate (if applying on their behalf)
• The veteran’s death certificate

Further to this, you will need to provide essential documents such as a copy of the veteran’s Certificate of Release or Discharge and key data regarding their service information such as:

• The veteran’s name
• Branch of the military they served in
• Dates of service
• Military service number

Veteran benefits are an important protection for both service personnel and their families alike. They help provide extra security for those serving their country and help them and their loved ones enjoy a better quality of life.

Remember, to access these benefits you will need a certified or official copy of your or your family member’s birth certificate to prove your identity and family relationship. If you are missing this vital record and need to order a birth certificate replacement we can help you secure your documents today.